And Ryan Faber, who was homeless himself for a year, remarked: "This is incredibly poignant and is one of those pictures that is worth 1000 words and so much more.

He continued: "I was homeless once for a year and even though I was altruistic to the homeless before it happened to me, it made me exponentially angered with the criminalization of the homeless and I would seriously go off on these people."

Artist: Dallas Clayton, who created the mural, said he 'felt sorry for everyone involved' (Photo: Facebook)

Rachel Komar also hit out at the tourist, who posed for the snap on Sunday while visiting Los Angeles, which has the largest homeless population in America.

She wrote: "Someone help us all.... It's amazing and unfortunately all too real."

Another user added: "I've seen a few homeless people sleeping in that spot and every time someone posts a photo of themselves against that mural it's all i can think about... I don't know how anyone could do that i feel physically ill."

However, others defended the woman, noting that most people ignore numerous homeless people on a daily basis and are not condemned for it.

The mural on Sunset Boulevard is reportedly a popular spot with hipsters in the area.

Dallas Clayton, who created the artwork, said he 'felt sorry for everyone involved'.

Love-themed: Mr Clayton is pictured constructing the artwork, which is reportedly popular with hipsters (Photo: Facebook)

He told TakePart.com: "It's unfortunate that any person would have to sleep on the street.

"It's unfortunate that someone could be so disconnected that they would step over someone to take a photograph and also it's unfortunate that the spectacle of documenting this is easier to discuss and comment on than the root issue is to solve."

Mr Michalowski, a real estate agent from Silver Lake, also spoke to the website about the moment he witnessed the tourist posing in front of the mural.

He said that at one point, the woman deliberately moved closer to the homeless man so her friend could centre the photo.

There are believed to be more than 80,000 homeless people sleeping on the streets of Los Angeles every night.